Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs, Colorado
A Member Of The
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

About Salem

Mission Statement

As men, women and children united in faith and worship by the Word of God, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church exists to make disciples throughout the world for time and eternity, using the gospel to win the lost for Christ and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service, all to the Glory of God.

Objectives

To proclaim the law and the gospel, to lead sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for life and salvation.

Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching.
(II Timothy 4:2)

Jesus said to them, This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
(Luke 24:46-48)

To strengthen believers in faith and sanctification through the means of grace.

So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ.
(Romans 10:17)

To equip believers as disciples, stewards, and witnesses for sharing the gospel of Jesus with our fellow mankind.

He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:11-12)

History

On February 11, 1973, Pastor Eugene Ahlswede was installed as Salem's first pastor. The first worship service was held two weeks later on February 25. During the early years of Salem, worship services were held in various locations. At this time Salem was considered a mission congregation and was subsidized by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). On September 7, 1975, our current church-home was dedicated at 4318 N. Chestnut Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Throughout Pastor Ahlswede's tenure as Salem's first pastor, God's Word was taught and proclaimed in all truth and purity.

Pastor Ronald Kaiser became Salem's second pastor on December 18, 1977. During Pastor Kaiser's time at Salem we were blessed with four vicars under his guidance: Charles Westra, David Rockhoff, Jonathan Qualmann, and Paul Tessmer. In May 1982 Salem changed from a mission congregation supported by a WELS subsidy to being completely self-supporting. In the fall of 1985 Salem opened our Lutheran Elementary School. Throughout Pastor Kaiser's tenure as Salem's second pastor, God's Word was taught and proclaimed in all truth and purity.

Salem Lutheran Elementary School had a rich history from 1985 until 2019. Our school principals were Mr. Gary Bain, Mr. Chris Avery, Mr. Matt Herbst, Mr. Mr. Jospeh Gumm, and Mr. Andrew Danner. Our school teachers were Mrs. Carol Bain, Mrs. Jean Avery, Mrs. Connie Krueger, Mrs. Jennifer Wockenfuss, Miss Sarah Underwood, Mrs. Annie Gumm, Mrs. Lori Seiltz, Miss Elizabeth Kuschel, Mrs. Daneen Uhlhorn, Mrs. Jaime Danner, and Mrs. Rose Leerssen. Our school closed in 2016. In 2010, before the elementary school closed, a pre-school program called Mommy's Morning Out was added. Our pre-school teachers were Mrs. Lori Seiltz, Mrs. Charlene Youngblood, and Mrs. Kathy Wilde. The name was changed to Early Learning Center in 2012 with Mrs. Dianne Martin as the lead teacher. Salem decided to suspend the Early Learning Center in 2019. Throughout this time, God's Word was taught and proclaimed in all truth and purity.

Pastor James Seiltz was installed on November 23, 1997, as Salem's third and current pastor. We held a mortgage burning in connection with Salem's 35th Anniversary on September 7, 2008. Our sanctuary recieved new carpeting and seating in January 2018. In 2020, nine new stained glass windows were also added to our sanctuary. Throughout Pastor Seiltz' tenure as Salem's third pastor, God's Word has been taught and proclaimed in all truth and purity.

Among former members of Salem who have gone on to become called workers in the teaching and preaching ministry are teachers Mark Kaiser, Rachel Bain, Sarah Koppen, Amber Stritt, Stephanie Wockenfuss, Allysa Figurski, Amanda Seiltz, and Jessica Seiltz; pastors Anthony Pittenger, Steven Kahrs, Zachary Pudlo, and Boyd Longshore.

Looking back on the years, we see how greatly Salem has been blessed. We pray for our Gracious God's continued guidance as we press forth spreading the Good News of salvation here in Colorado Springs and around the world.